Process of treating hydrocarbon oils



Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,167

C. P. DUBBS PROCESS OF TREATING' HYDROCARBON OILS I I Original Filed Jan-.2, 1918 y 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 pulse Dec. 13, 1927.

C. P. D UBBS PROCESS or' TREATI NG .HYDRocARBoN OILS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 bb l l I l l l l I I I l l l l l I I l l l, @SSN kovx JJ. uw .l B. u 1 JHMHHHHH l .w 2.. 7 u J d 5J F P 1 a n .1 E n o Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,167

c. P. DuBBs PRocEss br TREATING HYDRocARBoN oILs Original Filed Jan.2, 1918 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,167

c. P. DuBBs PROCESS 0F TREATING HYDROCARBON OILS original Filed Jams, 1913 e sheets-sheet s Dec. 13, 1927.

C. P'. DUBBS .PROCESS 0F TREATINQ HYDROCARBON OILS Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Jan-2l 1918 M6 /afz/.D/j

Patented Dec. 13, 1.927. l

l 1,652,161.7- UNITED STATES rATEiSVr orifice.

CARBON DU'BBS; OF WILMETTE, CLIZIIIIWOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F SOUTH DAKOTA.

Pnlocnss or TBEATING nYnnocaBBoN oILs. i

Continuation of application Serial No. 209,897, led January 2, 1918. This application l'ed lay 2, 1923.

.Serial No. 636,104.- Renewed Ial'eh 10, 1927.

ThisV invention relates to a process for treating hydrocarbon oils to produce therefrom products having lovver boiling points.

This application is a continuation df an earlier application filed by' me, under date of January 2, 1918. Serial No. 209,897.

Among the salient objects of the invention are to provide an improved-process in which the heated hydrocarbons are circulated through a heating coil and into and through f a coil still, and then passed to a condenser,

and during such treatment subjected to a pressure of the generated7 vapors; to provide a process in which the temperature and pressure` arefreadily and accurately controlled;

, to provide a process which can be operated continuously: to provide a. process which avoids the danger ofthe tubes in same being i 'overheated and burned out b v precipitation of a. substantial amount of carbon in said tubes, by means of suiiicient circulation of the oil )through said tubes; to provide a process whereby those products `that are not suiciently converted to the desired 10W boil- .$5 ing point; are condensedV and returned and further circulated through said heating tubes; to provide a. process, in which, by meansof air cooled .reflux condensers, the grade of\ distillate drawn from the system so is controlled and such distillate not of Sullicient low boiling point is condensed and automatically' returned tothe heatingzone and distilling coils and subjected to further treatment; to provide a process in which the furnace. in which the heating tubes are contained, is maintained withinl well defined temperature ranges and the oil caused to circulate through said heating tubes, th rapidity of the circulationof the oil govern- 40 ing, lto a great extent. the temperature .at which the furnace is maintained, as Well as governing the amount ofy lowboiling point products made and removed from 'said oil,

the oil passed from these heatingtubes to what is known as the distilling tubes which are contained in a. compartment above the furnace in jvhich the heating tubes are situated and these distilling tubes are main tained in a temperature, ator a. little above 5o that temperature that isbest for producing and distilling of the desired low boilin point products from that particular o1 under treatment;'to provide, in general, an

return fittings on the distilling improved process of the character referred .In the drawings Fig. 1 and Fig. 1l .together show the side elevation ofthe apparatus partly in section i and with other parts broken awa Fig? 1" is a side view of the liquid leve regulator and diaphragm valve, shown in fragmentary section.

Fig. 2 vand Fig. 2 are a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 1 andFi 1*.

I Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of t e condenser members.

AFig. 4 is a view, partly end elevation and partly in section, of the heating coils. y

Fig. 4 is a view of the opposite. end of Fig. 4, showing the arrangement of the heating and distilling coils.

' Referring to the drawings,4 A1 are furnaces in which the heating tubes and distilling tubesa-re contained. A.z is a tunnel throughvvhich the fire for heating theA fur# naces, passes. A is a flue tunnel. A* is a flue and stack.

B constitute parallel substantially level preheating tubes. B1 constitute parallel sub- 'stantially levelheating tubes. B2 constitute parallel substantially level distilling tubes.

B3 are return Ts on the preheating tubes vB and heating tubes B1. B8, B9 and B10 are coils. Bn and B12 are Ts on the distillng coils, and each .of these fittings are fitted with flanges marked B13 that bolt on so that each tube can be cleaned. B1* and B15 are bands around the tubes for anchoring the tubes shown. With the exception of that end`of the vparticular tubes shown as anchored the tubes are free and Aall extend through the furnace Wall and expand.4 independently thereof. B" designates braces for supporting the tubes B', B1' and B. v f

C1 is'a feed line from any source of supply leading to pump C, and in this line is throttle valve C. C* is a charging line from the pump to the preheating'tubes B, and in this line is throttle valve C5. Cs and C' are motors yfor operating the pumps C2 and C". C is a pump which is supplied through line C9 branching from suction line C1. C is dischar line connecting this pump with charging ine C, and branching olf of discharge line Clo is a. branch line C, which Vconnects with suction line C and having positioned on it a pressure relief valve or lby-pass valve C12. C14 is a standard make check valve. C is an automatic liquid level gauge, and the one shown here is that which is furnished by S-c Regulator Company of Fostoria, Ohio and C1 shown attached to the end of"distilling tubes B2 operates to open and close the valve C1, which valve is connected with valve C by a diaphragm "11", valve C1 being positioned on the supply .line C4. lt will be understood that any suitable method may be employed for regulating the level in the distilling tubes B2. As this regulator is of standard equipment i and operates on well known principles and the valve operated by a diaphragm is of,

standard make andwell understood, I have not gone into the description of same here, nor do I claim any part of the regulator itself as new.

B* is a fitting connecting preheating tubes B to the supply line C1.. B5 is a fitting on the other end of the preheating` tubes B through which the oil in same is discharged into line D1. Line D1 is connected to the bottom of fitting B" which is secured to the heating tubes B1. The oil from the heating tubes B1 passes to the distilling tubes B2 through transfer line D. The oil or residuum is discharged through the bottom of the fitting B9 by means of the line E1 from the distilling coil B2, said oil or residuum passing through cooling tank E2 and then passingto any suitable storage, not shown, and between such storage and cooling 'tank E2 are positioned in the line E1 a throttle valve E1 to control the rate of flowd of the residuum from the line E1, and a similar throttle valve E* is positioned in the line E1 for obtaining samples of said residuum from said line E1.

F1 is a centrifugal pump. F2 is `a motor for operating same. F2 is a suction line to l of the distilling tubes B2.

the pump from distilling tubes B2 coming out of the bottom of the fitting B12. E* is discharge line which enters the side of the fitting 5 on the end of the tubes B1.

G1, G2, Ga and G4 are upwardly, inclined vapor lines leading olf of thefdistilling tubes B2.l Lines G1 and G connect with manifold G5, which manifold rconnects by pipe G6 to fittin B2 ines G2 and G1 connect to manifold G7, which manifold connects by means of pipe Gs tothe top of the fitting B12 on the end The'vapor lines G1, G2, G1 and G* are connected at their up r end to a common header marked G2, an have positioned on them throttle valves marked G1", G11, G12 land G1. Said manifold G is connected to a top manifold G11 br means of bent pipes G15-to G25; and to t e center of the top manifold G11 is connected pipe G"r which in' turn connects to coils attached to the distilling tubes' genaue? G28, contained in water tank G22. From the coils G21, the condenser extends through pi e G30 into receiving tank H. From pipe (10 is a branch pipe G51 having a pressure indieating gauge G32, and out of pipe G11 extends pipe G55 on the end of which is a valve marked GM. This valve and gauge may be situated in the tail house and afford means for there regulating the pressure.

@n H are glass liquid gauges H1 and H2, pressure relief valve H3, drawol valves H, H5 and H6 and pressure gauge H1. H is for use in case water is to bel drawn olf before draining the distillate out through valve H5. H4 is a valve for use in an emergency, for example, when one .of the other valves are removed for repair or renewal, and is superficial for showing the workings of the apparatus.

J 1, J 2 and J3 are supports for the receiving tank H. K is a support for the pipes as shown. l

L1 is a standard indicating pyrometer and is connected with different thermosticks which thermosticks are positioned in the furnace in which the tubes B1 and B2 are positioned. L2 is a standard temperature recording instrument and is connected to a thermostick by a cable, and which thermostlck' is positioned inside the manifold G11. L3 is a standard temperature recording instrument connected by means 'of a cable to thermosticks, which latter are positioned, one in the preheating coils marked B to give the temperature of the oil therein, and one positioned marked B1 to give the temperature of the oil therein; and one positioned in the distilling coils marked B2 to give the temperature therein. L4 is a standard indicating gauge, which is connected by tubing to the receiving tank H, and shows the depth of the liquid contained in the receiving tank H. L is an electric switchboard of standard make, which board contains a standard knife switch for breaking or completing the circuit for operating the charging pump C2; also a'knife,

switch for breaking or completingthe circuit for controlling the motor C, which opcrates the circulating pump C8; also a knife switch for breaking or completing the electric circuit for controlling the electrically driven circulating pump marked F1; also a ioo in the heating coils knife switch of standard make for breaking or completing the electric current for supplying the electric lights 1n the plant, all of ,which 'are enclosed in the house built 'beneath the water cooling tank G21.l l

M1 is a gas main `for supplying the furnaces in which the tubes B, B1 and B2 are contained, and on this lline is a throttle valve marked M2.

Describing now the operation of the process, the material to be treated is drawn from any suitable 'source of supply through line C1 by and through centrifugal pump (12 through lineC* into the preheating tubes B. Then through line D1 to the heating tubes B1,v after passing through the tubes B1 the `heated oil passes upwardly through line`D3 into distilling tubesfB2, and when these lat- V ter tubes have been filled to .the desired A1 and as soon as a desired vapor pressure has been created onthe apparatus,- then supplypump C8 is started in operation and obtalnsits supply of raw material through line C9 and discharges through line C1 into line C, valve C18 being opened andshould the levelof the liquid in the distilling tubes B1 be of the proper height, then the liquid level regulator C15 will, by means of diaphragm C11, close the valve C16 `on supply line C,

A and the back pressure thus .created on the lineC will force open the 'pressure relief valve lC12 and by-pass the oil from the discharge side of pump C8 back into suction line C9, and thisoperation will continue until the level in the distilling tubes B? drops to a suicient point to permit the valve C16 to be lautomatically opened, thus admitting more raw material into the heating tubes B, B1 and distilling tubes'Bz. y

The pump F1 is put and maintained in operation, and the oil contained in the heating tubes B1 and distilling tubes B2 made to circulate by drawing the oil through suction F3- and discha ging it' back into the Jtubes through discharge F. It will thus be seen that-the oil, after passin through the heating tubes B andthe distilling tubes B1', is .recirculat'edf through these tubes through the agency ofthepipe lines F1 and Fand the pump F. This causes a cyclic.

circulation ,ofY the Ioil vin which the particles cooling coils. containedln tank f athere to any suitable storage.y The quantity f ing tubes at a considerable veloclty, thereby move continuously through a defined path. flhe residuum formed in the distilling tubes B2 is drawn oil either intermittently or continuously throu h line E1 throu 'E2 and from that is..drawn olf is regulated by means o valve E?" positioned'in line E1, and samples of said residuum .may be vobtained at any time by means of valve E* in line E1.

The vapors generated pass up through lines G1., G2, Gr3 and G1 and manifold G and f romthere up thrughiupes G1 to G2 and the vapors. con-l into manifold G11.

i densed up to thispoint aredrained back into v ceiving distilling tubes B1 andthe remaining vapors pass through line Gzf'f through condensin coils G28 immersed in'water in tank G211K an' from there pass through .line G1into retank H-, frQm whichthey-fmay be ldrawn olf intermittently or 'continuously through valves H1, H foryH.. .p n

` taking oi both of which are of great advantage in l greatly facilitating the production of low boiling point products.

The entire system is preferably subjected to a vapor pressure of Vfrom 50 to 500 pounds, although the pressure will vary with the conditions. rljhe temperature of the oil will var from 500 to 1,000 degsQF., although do not intend to limit myself to these figures. The pumps are preferably operated so as to cause a relatively rapid circulation of the oil.

The preheating and heating tubes used in this type of apparatus for treating midcontinent gas oil are preferably of 4 diameter and the distilling tubes 10 pipe. The vapor lines are substantially of the samediameter as the heating tubes. An illustrative run of this process is as follows: Gas

loil from the mid-continent field of approximately 32 degs. Baum was introduced to the preheating tubes and the tem erature raised from 500l to 700 degs. F., an subsequently to 800 degs. F. or 900 degs. F., yin the heating tubes. The heated oil was then Adirected to the distilling tubes where the cracking ofthe oil took place at a temperature approximately the same or slightly less than that ofthe heating tubes. `The system` was maintained under a pressureof about 100 to 150 pounds per square inch and when a substantial distillation of the oil was noted decreasing `lighter hydrocarbons,` consisting in passing the oil through a relatively small coil in a heating zone, thence passing the. oil through tilling coil, also seated in said heating zone,

vapors from said distlllmg and condensing the same, maintaining a forced cyclic circulation of the oil from the v a relatively larger vapor generating or dis- I coil.

,into a relatively larger vapor small coil to the distilling coil and backto the small coil and durin said treatment, maintaining a pressure 1n excess of 50 poilinds to the square inch on the oil in said co1 s.

2. A process for continuously -converting heavy into light hydrocarbons, consisting' in passing the' oil through a relatively small coil in a heating zone, thence passing the oil through a`relatively larger vapor generating coil also seated in said heating zone, taking off vapors from said vapor generating coil, subjecting such vapors to a reflux condensing action, in returning the reflux condensate resulting therefrom to said vapor generating coil, in` maintaining a forced cyclic circulation ofthe oil from said small coil to the vapor generating coil and back to the small coil during thetreatment of the oil, and in maintaining a superatmospheric pressure on the oil in said coils.

3. A process for continuously converting heavy into light hydrocarbons, consisting in preheating the oil, in passing the preheated oilthrough a small heating coil, in transferring the oil from said small heating coil generating coil, taking olf vapors from said vapor gennasale? maintaining a forced cyclic circulation of the oil from said small heating coil to the vapor generating coil and back to said small coil duringthe treatment of the oil, in continu ously withdrawing heavy carbon-containing "f residual oil from said vapor generating coil to be isolated from the system, and in maintaining a superatmospheric pressure on the oil undergoing conversion.

4. A process for converting heavy into lighter hydrocarbons, comprising passin hydrocarbon oil through a relatively smal coil in a heating zone, thence delivering the heated oil to a relatively larger vapor gen'- erating coil, takin olf vapors from said vapor generating coiland condensing the same, maintaining 'a forced cyclic circulation of the oil from the small coil to the vapor generating coil and back to the small coil, and, during the process, maintaining a superatmospheric pressureon the oil undergoing conversion.

cARBoN P. DUBBs. 

